Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Play

Get The Rhyme and Reason PodcastDelivered to Your Device Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | Pandora | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | Podcast Index | TuneIn | Deezer | RSS | More

It was four years ago, to the day, today. And a few minutes ago I ran across something I shared that day. I can see it, in my mind’s eye, almost as clearly as if I were looking right at it right now. And that’s even though my location is about as different, now, as night is from day.

I talked about how I was using my iPhone as my computer that morning, in sync with my small, foldable, bluetooth keyboard. And I had my computer, oops iPhone, propped up nicely on a little “drawer” in the dash of my mobile office which was my little blue Toyota truck.

First I paid homage to the day with a short description.

So, I mentioned how I could see a fairly long stretch of the front range of the Rocky Mountains. Blue skies, snow-capped peaks, and a few swatches of white clouds drifting by.

It was an early winter day in the early part of 2021. And, yep, January 3rd to be exact. I appreciated the fact that I could sit there soaking in the scenery AND share it with you on my small, portable devices. What a blessing, in a never-ending series of blessings that come with living in the digital age.

And I called ’em blessings as I pointed to a day, not all that long ago in the past, when none of that would have been possible. NONE! But these days you can share ideas, images, words, music, and even videos literally with the world. Almost instantaneously.

Skip the publisher’s rules and arbitrary methods. Skip the hassles of waiting for printing and binding and distribution. And skip the need for bulky, loud, and unreliable equipment.

Yeah, these days you just whip out the little device you carry with you all the time, open up your favorite word processor or video recorder, and blast out your thoughts.

And here’s what’s especially cool about all this.

The information and resources to do all this have been here on our little blue planet since the day it was made.

Let that sink in for a minute.

Yeah, every single thing you and I ever needed, to be able to type words on a little keyboard and have them show up on a small screen (connected through the air) has been here our whole lives. And for the whole history of the world.

The only thing lacking, until this time in history was the know-how. An understanding of what does what.

And I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s part of why God tells us to get understanding. Matter of fact, He says “in all your getting, get understanding.” But He adds a caveat just before that when He says “Wisdom is the principal thing. Therefore get wisdom.”

And that’s because humans tend to have an uncanny knack for messing up a good thing. So many people immediately look for (or stumble into) a way to corrupt or pervert the very things that make their lives better and easier. And it’s almost impossible to avoid being one of those people without wisdom.

But that’s not you and me. Right?

No, I’m sure you’re just as much in awe over the ability to have a tiny, mobile office as I am. And I’m sure you wanna use your technology and gifts and talents to help others get and maintain an eternal perspective on life.

If so, I encourage you to look for opportunities to serve others. Starting today, if you haven’t already. And help them get to the day when they understand. And realize how they wouldn’t be able to enjoy any entertainment or business applications on their smartphones, laptops, or TV’s, if God hadn’t put all the information here in the first place.

Okay, for today, look for wisdom from The Way.
And you can then do more of what God wants you to.
Your eyes, on the prize, will help you to recognize
God makes no mistakes. So, we have all that it takes
For days, full of praise. Never-ending life-filled days.

Once you see the benefit, join the growing body of believers who’ve already signed up for the Tony’s Daily Devotional . And I’ll send you daily flashes of light so we can stay focused on faith, hope, and love.

Stay tuned…

Tony Funderburk signature logo

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Play

Get The Rhyme and Reason PodcastDelivered to Your Device Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | Pandora | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | Podcast Index | TuneIn | Deezer | RSS | More

Biblical knowledge is available to anyone who’s interested in finding out more. And the key points, and truth, of the Bible are easy enough to understand that even a child can learn about the love of our Creator. And that’s more important to know and understand than anything else anyone will ever learn.

Good thing Biblical knowledge isn’t being kept under a basket somewhere.

Thankfully, Biblical knowledge is still boldly shared all over the internet. At least it is here in America. I’m sure other places in the world still “allow/tolerate” it. But, as an example of what’s shared here in America, I saw some interesting comments on social media today. Like this one:

“One of the biggest lies in society and unfortunately even in much of the church, is that everyone is basically good, rather than the biblical truth that there is NONE who are good except Jesus. That everyone is deserving of hell. That’s why a lot of what the Bible calls sin is justified, because people think – ‘well he’s a good person, why shouldn’t he be happy and allowed to be gay’ etc. This thinking leads to a lack of fear of the Lord, as well as a lukewarm passion for Jesus and a lack of absolute thankfulness that He saved us!!”

And that guy shared that post in response to a quote, by Jonathan Edwards, another guy shared. The quote is, “Almost every natural man that hears of hell flatters himself that he shall escape it.” And the guy who shared the quote added, “Don’t flatter yourself.”

Good point.

Another post I saw showed wisdom and discernment you only get with Biblical knowledge. A young woman shared this, “Parents in Canyon, Texas call it a win after the Bible is allowed back in the school’s library. But if the school spends 7-8 hours every day teaching an anti-biblical worldview, what did they win? Christians should take their CHILDREN out of the secular, Marxist government schools. That’s how you win.”

Yes, it is.

And then, you’ll get plenty of the convoluted Biblical knowledge, too. Like this post from someone who uses the handle, Biblical and Reformed (red flag alert). This person simply quoted from scripture in order to justify an incorrect predestination position. He posted, “For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, in order that He might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom He predestined, He also called. And those whom He called, He also justified, and those whom He justified, He also glorified.”

I remember having a discussion with my mom, many moons ago, about how her idea that everything that happens was pre-ordained by God. And she found that very scripture and read it to me. So, I asked her one simple question.

“Mom, who did God NOT foreknow?”

And then I asked her to apply the implications of the answer to that question to her predestination position. I saw the light flicker in the eyes of her understanding. But then, just as quickly, I saw the regurgitation of all those years of flawed Biblical knowledge flood back into her head.

Last, but not least, for now.

I saw a post that dared to say the TV series, “Yellowstone isn’t just a show it’s a blueprint for what it means to be a real man. This modern Western dives deep into masculinity, responsibility, and legacy. Let’s break it down through a biblical lens and see what every man can learn from the Duttons.” Ay yi yi!

I’ve never watched that show, but video snippets pop up all over the place. And they almost alway include a LOT of profanity and sexualized content. But the guy who posted that followed up with what he considers supportive info. Like this post, “If you’re a Christ follower, you can spot Christ in the series and movies get ready for some powerful lessons.”  (his writing, not mine)

And that just ain’t so. Because it’s not Biblical or Christ-like to do so many anti Christ things but add a “redemptive” twist and call it good.

I know my Biblical knowledge doesn’t have the mass appeal of what passes for knowledge in the pop culture. But I’m totally confident that Jesus doesn’t think Yellowstone is a good show for Christians to watch.

Look, I get it. It’s good to see strong (even “white”) men portrayed in this day and age when soy boys rule so much. But I recommend your role models be Jesus, Paul, and the other patriarchs of the Bible.

So, maybe you don’t need any of this info. If that’s the case, then, as they say in Poland, Nessun problema. Continua con la tua giornata, ci sentiamo più tardi.

A Thousand Times, NO

Everything is for a reason.
God is in control.
Everything He turns to good
For His higher goal.
So do you want to thank Him for
Destruction and despair?
Is He the author of confusion?
You see it everywhere…

(from my song, A Thousand Times, NO)

Once you see the benefit, join the growing body of believers who’ve already signed up for the Tony’s Daily Devotional . And I’ll send you daily flashes of light so we can stay focused on faith, hope, and love.

Stay tuned…

Tony Funderburk signature logo

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Play

Get The Rhyme and Reason PodcastDelivered to Your Device Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | Pandora | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | Podcast Index | TuneIn | Deezer | RSS | More

What I’m about to share probably isn’t for you. But I can almost guarantee it’s good for someone you know or care about. It’s something I shared with others a few years ago. And I asked them this question: If I told you to leave your troubles behind and move forward, what would you do? Get mad at me and say “NO!” Would you tell me I can’t possibly understand your troubles, so I don’t have the right to tell you such a thing? Well, what if I told you this message is from God? Would you say yes, then?

Well, it IS a message from God. So get ready to say yes.

Yeah, read the New Testament. I promise it won’t hurt. And it’ll show you how no one gets through this life without troubles. In fact, Jesus himself said there WILL be tribulation (which is big trouble) in this life. He didn’t say maybe there will be. He said there WILL be!

So, does that mean you respond with exasperation, frustration, or consternation? Nay. Nay. And again I say nay. On the contrary. It’s much better (in fact, it’s freedom) to leave your troubles behind and keep “reaching forward for those things which are ahead.” Time only moves in one direction. And that’s the direction to focus.

That’s what I shared with those others a few years ago.

Now. Today is the first day of a brand new year (2025). So, it’s an ideal (because nothing’s perfect) day to say yes to moving forward with your feet and mind planted firmly in the here and now. Because the here and now are the only place and time you can actually DO anything. The past is gone. And the future doesn’t exist.

So, Happy New Year, and leave your troubles behind. Because it’s the right thing to do. And it’s healthful for you.

Keep your eyes on the prize. And, just to reaffirm, that prize is your Creator. I wrote (and then rewrote) a song about moving forward with action and confidence. In a way it’s the most selfish sounding song I’ve ever written. Because Every. Single. Line. starts with I’m. But it’s actually filled with the exhilaration you can get when you trust God.

I’m Gonna

I’m gonna dance through this life.
I’m gonna sing myself out of the blues.
I’m gonna feel this whole world.
I’m gonna walk through the air without any shoes.

I’m gonna climb to the top.
I’m gonna see what it’s like on the other side.
I’m gonna glide to the moon.
I’m gonna jump on a cloud and go for a ride.

I’m gonna leave my cares and troubles far behind.
I’m gonna live this brand new life that I’ve designed.
I’m gonna love discovering which way to go.
I’m gonna laugh and then say yes instead of no.

I’m gonna get to the passion.
I’m gonna make my dreams all come true.
I’m gonna go for the limit.
I’m gonna burst the limit and go on through.

I’m gonna sing through this life.
I’m gonna play it loud like a brand new song.
I’m gonna fly on the tune.
I’m gonna ask all my friends to come on along.

I’m gonna leave my cares and troubles far behind
I’m gonna live this brand new life that I’ve designed?
I’m gonna love discovering which way to go.
I’m gonna laugh and then say yes instead of no.  

© 2018 Tony Funderburk

Once you see the benefit, join the growing body of believers who’ve already signed up for the Tony’s Daily Devotional . And I’ll send you daily flashes of light so we can stay focused on faith, hope, and love.

Stay tuned…

Tony Funderburk signature logo

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Here it is again. The last day of the year. Some day has to be that day every year. And today is that day. But who cares? Right? Because it sure ain’t the last of the last.

The last day of the year is like any other day.

Every day is literally the first day of the rest of your life. So, the last day of the year is also a new first day. I know. Mighty deep thoughts for a humble little December 31. But I can’t help it. Deep thoughts ebb and flow through my brain waves like shades of blue and green waves across a sugar-white sandy Florida beach.

And here’s something C.S. Lewis said that I really like on the subject of time.

“There are better things ahead than any we leave behind.”

I wish that were true for everyone. But some people are just hellbent on denying themselves that hope and pleasure. So sad that they’d rather be their own king (or queen) than worship the only true, living, loving Creator of Heaven and Earth and the universe.

Anyway…

I hope this last day of the year is the first day you need and want it to be. And I wish that for your next first day which will, of course, be the first day of 2025. How about you and I find even more ways to connect. Especially with people who love and trust Jesus. That’s the ultimate measure of success. And as for 2024…

“Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.” Dr. Seuss

And…

If you see a fiery flame against the midnight sky,
Or just a tiny sparkle in the corner of your eye,
It might be me because I’m sailing through the stars.
I’ll turn and wave when I pass Mars.

I fly…till tangled thoughts untie
Up where my dreams are all true blue.
So high…ideas electrify
And charge a perfect point of view.

(from my song Perfect Point of View)

Once you see the benefit, join the growing body of believers who’ve already signed up for the Tony’s Daily Devotional . And I’ll send you daily flashes of light so we can stay focused on faith, hope, and love.

Stay tuned…

Tony Funderburk signature logo

 

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

What day is it? Before I answer that, see if you know what Boxing Day, First Day of Hanukkah, Proclamation Day, Father’s Day, Christmas Holiday, Bank Holiday, National Day of Thanksgiving, Independence and Unity Day, and Day of Goodwill have in common?

Give up?

Here’s how those holidays line up:

  • Boxing Day – Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla, Austria, Australia, Aruba, and 100 more …
  • First Day of Hanukkah – Australia, Canada, Israel, United Kingdom, United States
  • Proclamation Day – Australia
  • Father’s Day – Bulgaria
  • Christmas Holiday – Iraq
  • Bank Holiday – Malta
  • National Day of Thanksgiving – Solomon Islands
  • Independence and Unity Day – Slovenia
  • Day of Goodwill – South Africa

OK, that being said, what day is it?

And the answer is, ALL those days. But what day is that? That day is this day. Today. All those holidays are celebrated on December 26th. And, armed with that information, I bet you’ll be able to conquer the rest of 2024 as if there were only a few, puny days left.

As I write this, there are literally only 5 other days of 2024 left after today. And two of those are Saturday and Sunday. Plus, the last day doesn’t count because most everybody counts it as a party day. So, that only leaves Friday, Monday, and Tuesday to get any work done.

But let’s be honest. Who’s gonna wanna get back to work after Christmas festivities and a weekend, only to work two days, and then go back into party mode?

Oh, I think I actually saw a hand or two in the air. Awesome. Two hips and hooray to you. We’ll be at it over here at the FunderHaus, too. Because we understand the blessing and privilege of working. Especially when most others will look for opportunities to goof off. Because we’ve seen how the end of one year can be an excellent springboard for the beginning of another.

So, I just wanted to take the time to wish you a solid springboard kinda day today. And I’d love to hear what put the spring in there for you, if you break the mold and work in the next few days.

Till next time, Happy Thank You Note Day.

Once you see the benefit, join the growing body of believers who’ve already signed up for the Tony’s Daily Devotional . And I’ll send you daily flashes of light so we can stay focused on faith, hope, and love.

Stay tuned…

Tony Funderburk signature logo

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Play

Get The Rhyme and Reason PodcastDelivered to Your Device Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | Pandora | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | Podcast Index | TuneIn | Deezer | RSS | More

It was about 2,000 years ago. And today doesn’t mark the exact day and time. But that’s another topic for later. Nevertheless some shepherds were on the job, whatever day and time it was. And their job was to watch over their flock of sheep. As they stood under the night sky, a host of angels appeared and told them to follow that curious light, they had noticed in the sky, to where it pointed. So, the shepherds followed that guiding star to Bethlehem to find out more about the story.

They discovered a man and his wife spending the night in a livestock pen with their newborn Baby in a manger. And for some strange reason, the shepherds believed what they were told about this Child. Which was that He was God in the flesh. Can you imagine? Yeah, that would qualify as a mighty big deal. At least if it was true.

Apparently that Child was who He was claimed to be. Because all these years later, we still talk about, sing about, and celebrate that Person born in a manger. And, as a matter of worldwide fact, all of history revolves around His life.

And probably no one knows the exact day and time that was.

But wow! How awesome it would have been to be there that night? Well, something that will be even more awesome and glorious will be to live in Paradise forever getting to know that Person we Christians call Jesus. He came to earth to be born as a real human baby. Then, He grew into a real human man. Then, He suffered a real human death. But He resurrected after 3 days to show us what could be true for any and all trust Him. And all because He loves us.

Since I don’t see myself as all that lovable, it does my heart good to re-read the story from time to time. And at this Christmas time of year, it’s particularly good to share it with others. I hope you will too. Merry Christmas 2024.

Because I CAN Love

What made You think
That I was worth the risk You took?
What made You take the time
To write Your Holy Book?
I don’t believe I’d give myself a second look,
But You did because You love.

You made a world
That was as perfect as could be,
But then I broke it
When You gave it all to me…
By going through the gate You made to set me free.
This You did because You love…me.

Because You love me so…in spite of all You know…
Because You did the most that You could ever do…
Because I clearly see…evidence of You in me…
Because I can love…I do love…You!

You put a life
And a will inside my soul.
You knew true love
Would be to give me full control.
But knowing You is all that ever makes me whole.
I trust You because You love…me.

I can live because You live!
I can love because You love!

© 2010 Tony Funderburk

Once you see the benefit, join the growing body of believers who’ve already signed up for the Tony’s Daily Devotional . And I’ll send you daily flashes of light so we can stay focused on faith, hope, and love.

Stay tuned…

Tony Funderburk signature logo

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

I read a short article about human suffering. And it reminded me of some old commercials for the headache product you’ve probably heard of. Bufferin. I remember old commercials from back in the days of black and white TV. Yeah, we humans sure want the pain to be gone. Even ALL the pain of the world.

C.S. Lewis is quoted as saying this: “The problem of reconciling human suffering with the existence of a God who loves, is only insoluble so long as we attach a trivial meaning to the word love, and look on things as if man were the centre of them. Man is not the centre. God does not exist for the sake of man. Man does not exist for his own sake. Thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. We were made not primarily that we may love God (though we were made for that too) but that God may love us, that we may become objects in which the divine love may rest well pleased.”

I wouldn’t have explained human suffering that way.

But ol’ C.S. certainly had a way with words. And it’s easy to see where his heart was. Which is quite a big deal since he started out a as an atheist. But he also discovered that a good combination of love and logic eradicated all doubt in the evidence for the Creator.

But love from God doesn’t entice most people. And logic, for just about everyone, went out the door a long time ago.

It’s annoying how people who hate Christianity (and Christians) try to use its doctrine instead of their own to try and ridicule or debunk it. But they know their own worldview of complete, blanketed tolerance doesn’t actually work. And one of the biggest reasons is that it means, to be true to their tolerance mantra, they should also tolerate whatever a Christian says or does as simply “doing what he feels is right.”

But they don’t, of course.

If they could just leave it at that, at least they’d be living true to their so-called love for tolerance and diversity. But they’re not interested in merely co-existing. They want wipe out any or evidence or even a notion of a living, loving Creator God. And their goal is NOT to coexist.

It’s to make sure Christians don’t exist.

So, that’s why Christians should stand more boldly and proudly than ever. Be like C.S. Lewis in your own circle of influence. Do your best to expose and invalidate the thoughtless, careless, and loveless doctrines of humanism and self-worship. Both love and pain will be involved. It’ll probably require a little human suffering. So, are you with me?

There will be trials…and tribulation,
In every life…in every nation.
You could give up…but bow your head
And thank your loving Lord instead.

© Tony Funderburk 2010

If you enjoy what I share, join the growing body of believers who signed up for the Tony’s Daily Devotional , if you haven’t already. And I’ll send you daily flashes of light to help you focus on faith, hope, and love with me.

Stay tuned…

Tony Funderburk signature logo

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

For three years I led the praise and worship music in a church in the Denver, Colorado metro area. And the services were held, every Sunday, in the gym of a Christian school. Elgielene and I got to know the owners of the school pretty well. They were a former pastor and his wife and their grown children. And I remember many enjoyable conversations with the former pastor as well as a few with the rest of the family.

One of those conversations was a comparison I made about their Christian school.

And I guess you could say it wasn’t a “nice” comparison. Because I pointed out how the secular high school I attended was FAR more conservative than their Christian school. Oops. That didn’t go over well.

But it was observably true.

So, I proceeded to make the case for why I’d dare say such a thing. And there was no shortage of evidence. For example, my high school required:

  • Boys’ haircuts to keep the hair above the ears, collar, and eyebrows
  • Girls to wear dresses, with the only exception being extreme cold weather
  • Girls’ dresses to be no more than a certain amount above the knees
  • Boys’ shirts to be tucked in, with the only exception being a “shirt-jac” style
  • A belt to be worn with any pants that had belt loops
  • NO attire with any images or words deemed obscene or similarly inappropriate
  • NO excess noise in halls during class transitions
  • Shoes AND socks to be worn. NO sandals
  • Corporal punishment (paddling with significantly large paddle) for some offenses

And that’s not all the rules. But certainly enough that you get the point.

My secular high school included prayer before assemblies and sports events.

And there was a moment for silent prayer at the beginning of every school day during morning announcements. Students, who were found guilty of certain offenses, were often assigned “lunchroom duty.” That included cleanup of the trays, trash, and spills that might occur.

But it wasn’t all about rules, regulations, and rowdiness.

For example, our choir often sang (get ready for a shocker) “religious” songs. I was a member of the choir for the last three years of high school. And I don’t even remember how many Christian themed pieces of music we performed. Matter of fact, I received my first ONE, as a soloist, for singing a song called “The Lord Is My Light.”

And check out the lyrics to this song our boys’ choir performed. As you read the words, try to hear most of the Amens being sung by the baritones and basses. And imagine the lyrics in parentheses being sung by the tenors. I was one of the parentheses singers:

Amen

Amen, amen Amen, amen, amen.
(Sing it over) Amen, amen Amen, amen, amen
(See the baby) amen, (wrapped in a manger) amen,
(on Christmas morning) amen, amen, amen.
(See Him in the temple) amen, (talkin’ with the elders) amen,
(who marveled at His wisdom) amen, amen, amen.
Amen, amen Amen, amen, amen.
(See Him at the Jordan) amen, (where John was baptizin’) amen,
and savin’ all sinners) amen, amen, amen.
(See Him at the seaside) amen, (talkin’ to the fishermen) amen,
(and makin’ them disciples) amen, amen, amen.
Amen, amen Amen, amen, amen.
(Marchin in Jerusalem) amen, (over palm branches) amen,
(in pomp and splendor) amen, amen, amen.
(See Him in the garden) amen, (prayin’ to His Father) amen,
(in deepest sorrow) amen, amen, amen.
Amen, amen Amen, amen, amen.
(Led before Pilate) amen, (then they crucified Him) amen,
(but He rose on Easter), amen, amen, amen.
(Hallelujah) amen, (He died to save us) amen,
(and He lives forever) amen, amen, amen.

During one of the school spring presentations, our choir also sang what was known as a “negro spiritual.” It went a little something like this:

Soon-a will be done-a with the troubles of the world,
Troubles of the world,
The troubles of the world.
Soon-a will be done-a with the troubles of the world.
Goin’ home to live with God.

Yes, I promise, I did NOT attend a Christian school.

But it was heavily influenced by Christian principles and standards.

And I believe those of us who attended, during that time, were much the better for it. It was FAR from perfect, just as any human establishment or organization. But it’s painfully obvious what happens when establishments, organizations, and people stray as far as they have from those principles and standards.

And I hope you understand that government will not return us to something better. People, who willingly soak up government indoctrination (public schools) instead of God’s word, will be easily led astray. To the point where a Christian school or even a church will raise the sinful rainbow flag.

That’s why, almost 29 years ago, I wrote:

Do you see the pattern form
How the wrong becomes the norm?
Say Yeah! 

If you enjoy what I share, join the growing body of believers who signed up for the Tony’s Daily Devotional , if you haven’t already. And I’ll send you daily flashes of light to help you focus on faith, hope, and love with me.

Stay tuned…

Tony Funderburk signature logo

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Elias was a carpenter, a building contractor, and a farmer. He moved his family to Kansas City, Missouri way back in the early 1900’s, and gave up the farming part. In Kansas City he bought a paper route and got his sons to help him deliver the papers. And they got to learn to deal with the discomfort and pain that went with that work.

But discomfort and pain can either make you or break you.

In the case of his fourth son, Elias, I think you’ll see it helped make him remarkable.

In 1917, the elder Elias moved his family to Chicago. And the junior Elias took photographs and worked on his drawing skills for the school paper. He hoped to become a newspaper cartoonist. But World War I interrupted his progress, and he served as an ambulance driver.

When he got back to the states, he moved back to Kansas City and went through a series of trials and errors. And I won’t go into detail because you probably already know a lot of them. But his ability to get through them probably came from working with his dad on that paper route.

Oh wait, I forgot to mention one minor detail. Elias was actually his middle name. His first name was Walt. And you’re probably way ahead of me as I tell you his last name was Disney.

But do you know that, because of his production work, he still holds the record for the most Academy Awards? Yeah, for the most nominations. 59. And for the most wins held by a single individual. 22

I remember my whole family gathered around the TV, back in the 60’s, to watch “Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color.” There was usually a special Sunday evening movie the whole family could watch together. Imagine that. And there was never a show that included any bathroom humor or sexual innuendo.

No wonder it was so unsuccessful. NOT!

Anyway, I just thought I’d share those little tidbits of into with you to encourage you to work through whatever discomfort and pain you’re dealing with, today. And Elias, I mean Walt, was the motivation because he was born on this day, December 5th, 123 years ago, back in 1901.

Time flies when you don’t Micky Mouse around and waste it.

My guess is that Walt would not be pleased or proud of where the Disney empire has gone since then. But I’ll leave that for another time.

CrackerJack and Disneyland,
Scorin’ crack and lyrics banned,
Gets better everyday. Just cast those sins away.
Right and wrong? Who thought of that?
Some guys who thought the world was flat?
Now we’ve learned to see. “No one’s the boss of me.”
(lyrics from my song, “Worldview”)

As long as you’re here, joint the wonderful world and growing body of believers who signed up for the Tony’s Daily Devotional , if you haven’t already. And I’ll send you good stuff so you can focus on faith, hope, and love with me.

Stay tuned…

Tony Funderburk signature logo

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Truth sets you free. It just does. It can also get you in a world of hurt. And even tossed into prison. Yes, even in this day and age. And even right here in the good ol’ U S of A.

But it’s still awesome how the truth sets you free.

Because it can free up your mind. Yeah, truth is SO much easier than remembering a bunch of lies. Especially if you don’t remember which one you told who which person. Yikes, that was a tangled, woven, worldwide web long before the digital world wide web.

Anyway…

The reason I brought up this truth revelation is because of how lying has gone on this year, here in America, during the so-called “election season.” From. Every. Single. Main. Candidate.

I encourage you to focus instead, during this Christmas “season,” on THE Truth that sets you free. The One who is the reason for the season. And the One who is the reason you even exist. I hope you already do. And if not, I hope you will. As for me? Well, I wrote a song where I simply said…

I Have To Believe

I can hear my heart, but I just can’t feel my life.
I can feel You cut, but I just can’t see the knife.
You slip Yourself inside of me
To show me what I’m meant to be;
Unlock me with Your golden key;
Protect me from the wizardry
Of this world far below.

I can feel Your love; though I never see Your face,
And whenever I’m alone, You still fill the empty space.
I never have to reach for You.
You always seem to pull me through.
You do the things that I can’t do;
Not even if I wanted to…not even if I tried.

And I have to believe…You did everything for me.
‘Cause what I have to believe
Is the truth that sets me free (repeat)

You must know my dreams
Because you’re making them all come true.
I know that You’re the One
Because no one could but You.
Your steady hand is always near.
With perfect love You conquer fear.
You brush away the dark veneer,
And suddenly it’s all so clear which way I should go.

© 1989

Join the growing body of believers who signed up for the Tony’s Daily Devotional , if you haven’t already. And I’ll send you good stuff so you can focus on faith, hope, and love with me.

Stay tuned…

Tony Funderburk signature logo